Can you get on a crusie at the docks?

[Baroquevenus]

My husband and I were wondering if it is possible to just show up at the dock on the day a cruise is leaving and actually get on a cruise at a reasonable price? Don't they stop you at the check point if you don't have cruise docs? We have our passports and we've been on other cruises but just wondered if this is possible?

[jst4fun715]

I think I have seen this question asked before and the answer has been that especially since 9/11, the cruise lines have to have all the paperwork several days ahead of the departure. I'm sure someone else will give a more definitive answer.

[aqusis]

Cruiseline has to turn in manifest several days prior to sailing (72 hours?). There was a Celebrity ship several months ago that used Charleston SC as a port stop. It did not turn in the proper paper work w/in the deadline so the ship was ordered back out to sea. Some folks were ashore and some onboard. It was allowed to return several hours later but just goes to show you how seriously they take the rules. Port security regulations have gotten even stronger since then. I'd think about 1 week out is about as close to sailing as you'd could book. Our experience has been that you do have to show your documents to the checkpoint guards to even get into the parking/boarding areas.

[madforcruising]

The above posters are right. It´s not possible to show up at the port to go on a cruise.